George Boyle
Wedding invitation wording can be a tricky task. While there are no hard and fast rules, there are certain considerations and traditions to be mindful of. For instance, it's important to clarify who is invited, especially if you're planning a child-free wedding. One way to do this is by writing the names of the invited guests on the invitation itself, or on an additional card that goes with the invite. However, the most common approach is to simply write the names on the envelope.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to write the guest's name | On the invitation, on the envelope, or on an additional card |
| Who to address | The guest, and their plus-one if applicable |
| How to address | Use titles and full names, or just first and last names |
| Children | If children are invited, include their names; if not, address the invitation to the parents only |
What You'll Learn
Including guests' names on the invitation
When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different ways to include guests' names, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Here are some detailed tips and suggestions for including guests' names on your wedding invitations:
The Benefits of Including Guests' Names
Formal and Informal Addressing
When addressing your guests, you can choose to use formal titles and full names or opt for a more informal approach with first names only. Traditionally, the outer envelope is more formal, using titles and full names, while the inner envelope is more casual. However, it is not necessary to include titles, and you can simply use first and last names if that suits your preference.
Married and Unmarried Couples
For married couples, the traditional format is to use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For same-sex couples, either name can come first. If the couple prefers, you can include both full names, with the woman's name first if they have different last names.
For unmarried couples living at the same address, address both people on one line, listing the person you are closest to first. You can use "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their full name.
Single Guests
For single female guests over the age of 18, use "Ms." followed by their full name. For younger guests, use "Miss". If a single female guest has been offered a plus-one, reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope only.
For single male guests over the age of 18, use "Mr." followed by their full name. If a single male guest has been offered a plus-one, again, reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope.
Guests with Distinguished Titles
If your guest has a distinguished title, such as a doctor, lawyer, judge, or military personnel, it is proper to address them by that title on the invitation. For doctors, spell out "Doctor" on the outer envelope and abbreviate it as "Dr." on the inner envelope. For military personnel, ensure you know their correct title and understand their rank and service.
Families with Children
When inviting an entire family, list only the family name or the parents' names on the outer envelope, and include the children's names on the inner envelope. For female children under 18, you can use "Miss." If any children are over the age of 18, they should receive their own separate invitations, even if they still live with their parents.
Other Considerations
When including guests' names, always use their full middle names when you know them. If you don't know the middle name, simply omit it, but never use initials or abbreviations. The "and guest" language should always be lowercase.
Additionally, be mindful of the invitation design and formatting. You may choose to include a separate line or space for guests' names, ensuring neatness and tidiness.
In conclusion, including guests' names on the wedding invitation is a thoughtful way to provide clarity to your guests and avoid any confusion about who is invited. You can choose to use formal or informal addressing styles and tailor the wording to fit different types of guests, such as couples, single individuals, and families.
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Addressing a married couple
When addressing a married couple on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and names for the couple. For a heterosexual couple, the traditional format is "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". However, for modern couples, it is becoming more common to include the wife's name as well, such as "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". Alternatively, you can simply use their first names, such as "Thomas and Michelle".
If the married couple has the same last name, their names are usually written on the same line. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera" on the outer envelope and "Mr. and Mrs. Rivera" on the inner envelope.
If the married couple has different last names, their names should still be written on the same line, with the woman's name first. For example, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez" on the outer envelope and "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" on the inner envelope. If their combined names are too long, you can list them separately.
In the case of a same-sex married couple, you can address the invitation in a similar way, but with a few small changes. For couples with the same last name, write both their first and last names, with the person you are closest with or the alphabetical order first. For example, "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft" on the outer envelope and "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft" on the inner envelope.
If the same-sex couple has different last names, include both their first and last names, combined with "and". You can also add their desired prefixes (Mr. or Ms.) for more formality. For example, "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell" on the outer envelope and "Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell" or "Celine and Jacqueline" on the inner envelope.
In general, it is recommended to use the more formal titles and names on the outer envelope and a less formal approach on the inner envelope. However, always double-check the preferred titles and names of the couple before finalising the invitations.
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Addressing an unmarried couple
When addressing an unmarried couple on a wedding invitation, there are a few conventions to follow. Firstly, it is important to include both names of the couple on the same line, connected by "and". The name of the person you are closest to should be listed first, or you can opt for alphabetical order if you are equally close to both. Here is an example:
"Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee"
If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, you can list them separately, either in alphabetical order or with the person you are closest to first:
"Ms. Maria Stevens
Mr. David Estevez"
When addressing the inner envelope, you can use a more informal format. You may use their titles and last names, or opt for a more casual approach with first names only:
"Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda"
If the unmarried couple does not live together, there are different conventions to follow. Write their names on separate lines, in alphabetical order:
"Ms. Mary Ann
Mr. Tom Thumb
123 Address Street
City, ST 10000"
Alternatively, you can use the same format but only include their last names:
"Ms. Mary Ann
Mr. Tom Thumb"
If you are only using one envelope, it is best to address it to the person you are closest to, followed by "and Guest":
"Mr. Bob Knots
123 Address Street
City, ST 10000"
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Addressing a single person
When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title. If they are over the age of 18, "Mr." for men and "Ms." for women is appropriate. For those under 18, no title is necessary for men, while "Miss" is acceptable for women.
If you are unsure of the person's preferred title, it is best to forgo the title altogether. The outer envelope can include the person's full name with their title, while the inner envelope can be more informal, including just their last name or first name.
For example, if you are inviting a single woman over the age of 18, the outer envelope can be addressed to "Ms. Ali Johnson", while the inner envelope can simply say "Ms. Johnson".
If your single guest is bringing a plus-one, you don't need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, use the "and Guest" language on the inner envelope only. So, the outer envelope would be addressed to "Ms. Stephanie Chen", and the inner envelope to "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest". The same format can be applied to a single male guest bringing a plus-one.
It is worth noting that some modern invitations may only include one envelope. In this case, all invited parties should be clearly stated on the front of the envelope, including any plus-ones.
Additionally, it is important to be clear about who is invited, especially if you are inviting adults only. For example, if you are inviting a couple with children, the envelope should read "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", not "The Smith Family".
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Addressing a family with children
When addressing a family with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to be clear about who is invited, especially if you do not want children at the wedding. If you are using double envelopes, the outer envelope is more formal and typically includes the full names and titles of the parents. The inner envelope can be more casual and include the first names of the parents and the names of the children.
For example, the outer envelope can be addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson" or "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson". The inner envelope can include the names of the children: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily".
If you are not inviting children to the wedding, simply omit their names from the inner envelope. However, be aware that some guests may still assume their children are invited. To avoid confusion, you can add a message to your wedding website or inform your immediate family and wedding party to spread the word that the wedding will be adults-only.
It is also important to consider the age of the children when addressing the invitation. Children over 18 should receive their own invitation, while children under 18 can be included on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use the title "Miss". Boys do not need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.".
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to write the names of "plus ones" on the invite, but if you don't know their name, it is acceptable to write the guest's name followed by "and guest".
Names are typically included on the envelope, but they can also be written on the invitation itself.
Traditionally, the outer envelope is formal and includes the recipient's full name and title, e.g. "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". The inner envelope is more informal and can include their first names, e.g. "Thomas and Michelle".
